Absorbent article having a pair of rear side flaps

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to an absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The front end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges. The rear end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet at least in the central region and the rear end region. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region; and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region. In one aspect of the invention, the continuous support layer includes a continuous material which has a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos60/631,759 filed on Nov. 30, 2004 and 60/638,695 filed on Dec. 22, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitarynapkins, pantiliners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a sanitary napkin having a pair of rearside flaps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, andincontinence pads, are typically worn in the crotch region of anundergarment. These devices are designed to absorb and retain liquidsand other discharges from the human body to prevent body and garmentsoiling. The aforementioned types of absorbent articles are typicallyplaced in a garment such as the wearer's panty and worn between thewearer's legs, adjacent to the genital (or fluids discharge source) areaof the body.

Conventional relatively thick, overnight, or extra protection sanitarynapkin products currently marketed in Japan provide protection fromsoiling by utilizing a combination of increased product length andthickness (which may include a profiled or varied caliper). Theseproducts, however, are not believed to conform or fit to the body of thewearer during the entire period of the products usage. Specifically,these products typically have a pair of rear side flaps in the rear endregion which is placed or adhered (if desired) to the inside surface ofundergarments in use. However, the rear side flaps tend to causebunching (or tend to be deformed or twisted) by a stress or frictionwhich is generated between the rear side flaps and the undergarmentduring use. This tends to not only affect the comfortness (i.e., thecomfort feeling) of the wearer but also cause a situation that theseproducts can not be positioned at the right place during the entire usethereby causing leakage of body fluids.

Thus, there is a need for an absorbent article that has rear side flapswhich can be effectively prevented from bunching. There is another needfor a sanitary napkin that can improve the comfortness of the wearerduring the entire use of the napkin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an absorbent article having a pair oflongitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region,a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front andrear end regions. The front end region has a width defined between thelongitudinal edges. The rear end region has a width defined between thelongitudinal edges. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to thewidth of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. Theabsorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquidimpervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheetand the backsheet at least in the central region and the rear endregion. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges. Theabsorbent article further comprises a pair of rear side flaps eachextending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of theabsorbent core in the rear end region; and a continuous support layerdisposed on the backsheet in the rear end region.

In one aspect of the invention, the continuous support layer includes acontinuous material which has a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.

In another aspect of the invention, the absorbent article furthercomprises a uniform adhesive layer disposed between the continuoussupport layer and the backsheet in the rear end region, wherein theuniform adhesive layer uniformly bonds the continuous support layer tothe backsheet in the rear end region.

The foregoing answers the need for an absorbent article that has rearside flaps which can be effectively prevented from bunching. Theforegoing also answers the need for a sanitary napkin that can improvethe comfortness of the wearer during the entire use of the napkin.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become evident to those skilled in the art from readingof the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plane view of a preferred embodiment of the absorbentarticle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent articleshown in FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent articleshown in FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an emboss channel formed in theabsorbent article shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plane view of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinalchannels shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plane view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plane view of another preferred embodiment of theabsorbent article of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a specimen explaining the measurementfor the bending stiffness;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a hysteresis curve of a specimen;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a specimen explaining the measurementfor the shear rigidity; and

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a shear hysteresis curve of a specimen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Herein, “comprise” and “include” mean that other elements and/or othersteps which do not affect the end result can be added. Each of theseterms encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentiallyof”.

Herein, “absorbent article” refers to articles which absorb and containbody exudates or discharges such as body fluids, and is intended toinclude sanitary napkins, pantiliners, diapers, and incontinence pads(and other articles worn in the crotch region of a garment).

Herein, “disposable” refers to articles which are intended to bediscarded after a single use, composted, or otherwise disposed of in anenvironmentally compatible manner. (That is, they are not intended to belaundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article.)

Herein, “sanitary napkin” refers to articles which are worn by femalesadjacent to the pudendal region which are intended to absorb and containthe various exudates which are discharged from the body (e.g., blood,menses, and urine). It should be understood, however, that the presentinvention is also applicable to other feminine hygiene or catamenialpads such as pantiliners, diapers, and incontinence pads (and otherarticles worn in the crotch region of a garment).

Herein, “joined” encompasses configurations in which an element isdirectly secured to another element by affixing the element directly tothe other element; configurations in which the element is indirectlysecured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediatemember(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; andconfigurations in which one element is integral with another element,i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element.

Herein, “body surface” refers to surfaces of absorbent articles and/ortheir component members which face the body of the wearer, while“garment surface” refers to the opposite surfaces of the absorbentarticles and/or their component members that face away from the wearerwhen the absorbent articles are worn. Absorbent articles and componentsthereof, including the topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, and anyindividual layers of their components, have a body surface and a garmentsurface.

FIG. 1 is a top plane view of a preferred embodiment of the absorbentarticle of the present invention. In preferred embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-8, the absorbent article is a relatively thick, overnight, extraprotection, disposable sanitary napkin 20.

The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a liquid perviousbody-contacting surface or body surface 20A and a liquid imperviousgarment surface 20B. FIG. 2 is a side view of the sanitary napkin 20shown in FIG. 1. The body surface 20A is intended to be worn adjacent tothe body of the wearer. The garment surface 20B of the sanitary napkin20 is on the opposite side and is intended to be placed adjacent to thewearer's undergarments when the sanitary napkin 20 is worn.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, alongitudinal centerline L and a transverse centerline T. Herein,“longitudinal” refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of thesanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (e.g., approximatelyparallel to) a vertical plane which bisects a standing wearer into leftand right body halves when the sanitary napkin 20 is worn. Herein,“transverse” or “lateral” refers to a line, axis or direction which lieswithin the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The sanitary napkin 20 has two spaced apart longitudinal edges 22 andtwo spaced apart transverse or end edges (or “ends”) 24, which togetherform the periphery 26 of the sanitary napkin 20. The sanitary napkin 20also has two end regions, i.e., a front end region 28 and a rear endregion 30. A central region 32 is disposed between the end regions 28and 30. The sanitary napkin 20 includes at least a pair of rear sideflaps 54 in the rear end region 30. Preferably, the sanitary napkin 20further includes a pair of central side flaps 52 in the central region32. (In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the sanitarynapkins 20 and 21 include both central side flaps 52 and rear side flaps54.) Each pair of central and rear side flaps 52 and 54 extendslaterally outward from a main body portion 25 in the central region 32and the rear end region 30, respectively.

The front end region 28 is defined as the area that is placed to thefront of the wearer's body when the sanitary napkin 20 is worn. The rearend region 30 is defined as the area that is placed to the rear of thewearer's body. The central region 32 is defined as the area that isgenerally located directly below the perineum of the wearer and whichreceives the greatest amount of menses.

In a preferred embodiment, each region can be defined with respect tothe positions of the side flaps 52 and 54. The front end region 28 endsat the transition area where the traversal distance between the twolongitudinal edges 22 starts to increase towards the central region 32as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the rear end region 30 ends at thetransition area where the traversal distance between the twolongitudinal edges 22 starts to increase towards the central region 32as shown in FIG. 1.

In other words, each region can be defied with respect to the curve ofthe longitudinal edge 22. The front end region 28 ends at the transitionarea where the curve of the longitudinal edge 22 starts to extendlaterally outward at a higher rate than before as shown in FIG. 1.Similarly, the rear end region 30 ends at the transition area where thecurve of the longitudinal edge 22 starts to extend laterally outward ata higher rate than before as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 taken alongthe section line 3-3 in FIG. 1, which shows the individual components ofthe sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1. The sanitary napkin 20 shown inFIG. 3 generally comprises at least three primary components, i.e., aliquid pervious topsheet 38; a liquid impervious backsheet 40; anabsorbent core 42 having longitudinal edges 48 disposed between thetopsheet 38 and the backsheet 40. The central side flaps 52 extendlaterally outward from the corresponding longitudinal edge 48 of theabsorbent core 42 in the central region 32. The topsheet 38, backsheet40, and absorbent core 42 can comprise any types of materials known inthe art as being suitable for such components of an absorbent article ora sanitary napkin.

The topsheet 38 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet 38 is liquidpermeable or pervious, permitting body fluids (e.g., menses and/orurine) to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable liquidpermeable material for the topsheet 38 may be manufactured from a widerange of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials (e.g., anonwoven web of fibers); polymeric materials such as apertured formedthermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformedthermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulatedthermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven andnonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood orcotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such aspolyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combinationof natural and synthetic fibers. When the topsheet 38 includes anonwoven web, the web may be manufactured by a wide number of knowntechniques. For example, the web may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid,melt-blown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like.

A particularly suitable material for the topsheet 38 includes anapertured formed film. Apertured formed films are preferred for thetopsheet 38 because they are pervious to body fluids and, if properlyapertured, have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back throughand rewet the wearer's skin. Thus, the body surface of the formed film(i.e., the body surface 22A of the sanitary napkin 20) remains dry,thereby reducing body soiling and creating a more comfortable feel forthe wearer. A preferred material for the topsheet 38 is amacroscopically expanded, three-dimensional formed polyethylene film.One preferred material for the topsheet 38 is available from TredegarFilm Products, Indiana, USA, under Code No. X-27121.

The backsheet 40 is impervious to body fluids and is preferablymanufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquidimpervious materials may also be used. Herein, “flexible” refers tomaterials which are compliant and will readily conform to the generalshape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 40 prevents the bodyfluids absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 42 from wettingarticles which contact the absorbent article such as bed sheets, pants,pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet 40 may thus include a woven ornonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films ofpolyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as afilm-coated nonwoven material. The backsheet 40 can include a singlelayer material, or two or more layers of materials. The backsheet 40preferably has a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about0.081 mm (3.4 mils). In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet 40 is asingle layer polyethylene film. Such a preferred polyethylene film isvailable from Daedong Co. Ltd., KyungBuk-Do, Korea, under Code No.DNF-040712VL.

The backsheet 40 preferably has a microporous structure which can permitvapors to escape from the absorbent core 42 (often called “breathablebacksheet”) while still preventing body fluids from passing through thebacksheet 40. A preferred microporous polyethylene film is availablefrom Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, under Code No. NPP2.The backsheet 40 can be embossed to provide a clothlike appearance.

The absorbent core 42 is capable of receiving, absorbing or retainingbody fluids discharged. The absorbent core 42 is preferablycompressible, conformable, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Theabsorbent core 42 can be formed by a single layer material or aplurality layers of materials. The absorbent core may include any of awide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in absorbentarticles, such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred toas airfelt. A particularly preferred absorbent core material is anairfelt material which is available from Weyerhaeuser Company,Washington, USA, under Code No. NB416.

Examples of other suitable absorbent materials for use in the absorbentcore include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers includingcoform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosicfibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss;tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalentmaterial or combinations of materials, or mixtures of these.

The absorbent core 42 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes andshapes. The periphery of the absorbent core 42 thus can take any shapein its top plane view. Preferred shapes for the core periphery includean oval, a rectangle, an hourglass, and a combination of the oval andrectangle such as the one shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment for a relatively thick, overnight, extraprotection sanitary napkin, the sanitary napkin 20 has a total corelength ranging between about 200 and 450 mm. A length shorter than about200 mm typically does not extend far enough into the gluteal area toprovide improved protection. A length longer than about 400 mm generallyextends too far beyond the gluteal groove in the rear end region toconform to the wearer's buttocks, causing a poor gluteal fit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1. The rear side flaps 54extend laterally outward from the corresponding longitudinal edge 48 ofthe absorbent core 42 in the rear end region 30. The sanitary napkin 20further includes a continuous support layer 44 which is disposed betweenthe topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 in (at least a part of) the rearend region 30 (and the front region 28 and the central region 32 ifdesired). In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGs, the continuoussupport layer 44 is disposed between the absorbent core 42 and thebacksheet 40. The continuous support layer 44 extends laterally into therear side flaps 54 in the rear end region 30. Herein, “continuous layer”means a layer (or member) that does not include two (or more) componentmaterials physically separated (or spaced apart) within the layer. Forexample, if a layer (or member) includes two component materials whichare not directly bonded or connected one another, that layer is not acontinuous layer but a discontinuous layer. The continuous support layer44 should have sufficient thickness, rigidity and resiliency to preventthe rear side flaps 54 from bunching (i.e., deforming or twisting) whichtends to be cased by a stress generated between the rear side flaps 54and the undergarment during use.

Specifically, to effectively prevent the rear side flaps 54 frombunching, the continuous support layer preferably includes a continuousmaterial which has a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree,more preferably 4.0-10.0 gf/cm·degree, and yet more preferably 5.0-9.0gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction. Herein, “in the longitudinaldirection” means that the continuous material is sheared in thedirection which is parallel to the longitudinal centerline L. Bylimiting the shear rigidity value within the above ranges, the rear sideflaps 54 can be effectively prevented from bunching. For example, if theshear rigidity value is too low (e.g., lower than 3.0 gf/cm·degree), therear side flaps 54 tends to easily cause bunching since in that eventthe rear side flaps 54 become too soft and are easily affected by theshear force (i.e., stress or friction) which is applied from theundergarment due to the wearer's movement. On the other hand, if theshear rigidity value is too high (e.g., higher than 10.0 gf/cm·degree),the rear side flaps 54 tend to affect the comfortness to the wearersince in that event the rear side flaps 54 become too stiff, and as aresult, the wearer feels uncomfortable in use.

In addition, the continuous support layer preferably includes acontinuous material which has a bending stiffness value of 0.4-10.0gf·cm²/cm, more preferably 0.5-7.0 gf·cm²/cm, and yet more preferably0.7-2.0 gf·cm²/cm in the longitudinal direction. Herein, “in thelongitudinal direction” means that the continuous material is bent witha bending axis which is parallel to the traversal centerline T. Itshould be noted that the bending stiffness value in the traversaldirection can take any number, however, it is preferably within the sameor similar range as that for the longitudinal direction. By limiting thebending stiffness value within the above ranges, both comfortness andeasy handling of the absorbent article can be achieved. For example, ifthe bending stiffness value is too low (e.g., lower than 0.4 gf·cm²/cm),the rear side flaps 54 tend to be too soft and flexible, and as aresult, they are easily folded when the absorbent article is applied tothe undergarment by the wearer. On the other hand, if the bendingstiffness value is too high (e.g., higher than 10.0 gf·cm²/cm), the rearside flaps 54 tend to affect the comfortness to the wearer since in thatevent the rear side flaps 54 do not fully conform to the curve of thebody, and as a result, the wearer feels uncomfortable in use.

The continuous support layer 44 can be formed by a wide variety ofmaterials (preferably hydrophilic), preferably fibrous materials.Preferred fibrous materials include nonwoven materials. The fibers orother components of such nonwoven materials may be synthetic or natural,or partially synthetic and partially natural. Suitable synthetic fibersinclude polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, viscous rayon, orcellulose acetate fibers. Suitable natural fibers include cotton,cellulose, or other natural fibers. In preferred embodiments, thecontinuous support layer 44 includes a nonwoven material which has abasis weight of 40-200 g/m², preferably 60-100 g/m².

In one preferred embodiment, the continuous support layer 44 is an airlaid nonwoven material. A preferred material is available from Kang NaHsiung Enterprise Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, under Code No.AL080-BL01-10. This nonwoven material has basis weight of 80 g/m²,density of 0.07 g/cm³, and thickness of 1.16 mm. This nonwoven materialis formed by a mixture of chemical pulp (or cellulose) fibers andpolyethylene/polypropylene bi-component fibers through an air throughprocess. In order to provide the desired support effect for the rearside flaps 54 under in-use conditions, it is desirable that the nonwovenmaterial for the continuous support layer 44 preferably has basis weightof 30˜180 g/m², density of 0.05˜0.20 g/cm³, and thickness of 0.3˜1.5 mm.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the sanitary napkin 20 preferably includes anadhesive layer (not shown in FIGs.) disposed between the continuoussupport layer 44 and the backsheet 40 in the rear end region 30.Preferably, the adhesive layer is applied uniformly (thereby forming auniform adhesive layer) between the continuous support layer 44 and thebacksheet 40. Herein, “uniform layer” refers to a layer that has a basisweight with a deviation of no more than 20% at every unit area withinthe layer. Herein, “unit area” is defined as an area of 12.5 mm×50 mm.Thus, in this embodiment the uniform adhesive layer preferably containsan adhesive which has a basis weight with a deviation of no more than20% at every unit area within the layer. As a result, the uniformadhesive layer can uniformly bond the continuous support layer 44 to thebacksheet 40 in the rear end region 30. Preferably, the uniform adhesivelayer is formed by a hot-melt adhesive. In preferred embodiments, theuniform adhesive layer has a basis weight of about 1.0-13 g/m², morepreferably 2.0-10 g/m². In a preferred embodiment, the uniform adhesivelayer has a basis weight of about 3.6 g/m². Such a uniform adhesivelayer is preferred since it can help provide a uniform thickness,rigidity and/or resiliency to the rear side flaps 54 which can alsoprevent the rear side flaps 54 from bunching which may be cased by astress generated between the rear side flaps 54 and the undergarmentduring use.

The topsheet 38, the backsheet 40, the absorbent core 42 may beassembled in a variety of configurations known in the art. Preferredconfigurations are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264; 5,009,653issued to Osborn; U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,130 issued to DesMarais; U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,589,876 and 4,687,478 issued to Van Tilburg, and U.S. Pat. No.5,234,422 issued to Sneller, et al.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 has a pair ofoutwardly convex longitudinal central channels 62 formed at least in thecentral region 32. Herein, “channel” refers to a generally elongateddepression formed in at least a portion of an absorbent article. Thechannel can be formed by, for example, reducing the amount of theabsorbent core at the channel portion, and/or compressing or embossingthe absorbent core at the channel portion.

Typically, the channel is formed by applying a compressive force to boththe topsheet and the absorbent core toward the backsheet. The topsheetat the channel portion is pushed down into the absorbent core, and thematerials of the topsheet and the absorbent core are compressed at andbelow the bottom of the channel portion. By this operation (which isoften called “embossing process”), the channel portion of the absorbentarticle has relatively higher density than the other portion(s) or thesurrounding portion(s) of the channel portion. The channels of thepresent invention can be formed by any structures and processes known inthe art.

The channel tends to preferentially diffuse or lead body fluids flowalong the direction in which the channel extends. Therefore, the channelis useful to control body fluids flow within the absorbent articlethereby preventing body fluids leakage from the absorbent article. Thechannel also tends to work as a preferential bending axis of theabsorbent article. Therefore, the absorbent article may bend at thechannel portion such that it provides an improved fit of the absorbentarticle to the wearer's body. It should be noted that such an improvedfit of the absorbent article can also contributes an improvement inpreventing body fluids leakage from the absorbent article.

The channel of the present invention can be either continuous ordiscontinuous. Herein, “discontinuous” means the channel can beseparated by a non-channel portion (i.e., a portion where no channel isformed) such that the channel includes 2 or more elongated channelportions which are separated by a non-channel portion. The distancebetween the two succeeding channel portions (i.e., the length of the nochannel portion) may be changed depending on the product design.Preferably, the length of the no channel portion is 0-20 mm, morepreferably 2-10 mm, and yet more preferably 3-6 mm.

In one preferred embodiment, channels are formed by applying a uniform(or a single level of) compressive force to the topsheet and theabsorbent core toward the backsheet. Alternatively, channels can beformed by applying two or more levels of compressive forces to thetopsheet and the absorbent core toward the backsheet thereby forming a“two (or more) stage channel structure”.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the channels 62, 64, 65 and66 are formed by applying two levels of compressive forces to thetopsheet 38 and the absorbent core 42 toward the backsheet 40. Theapplication of the two levels of compressive forces (i.e., highercompression and lower compression) produces two stage depth portions(i.e., “two stage channel structure”) in the resulting the channels,i.e., first portion and second portion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one channel formed in the sanitarynapkin 20 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the channel 62 has twoside walls (or channel walls) 83 and 84. The first portions 81 areformed by a higher compression, while the second portion 82 is formed bya lower compression. The absorbent core 42 is more compressed at theportions 81 of higher compression than the portion 82 of lowercompression. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (and also FIG. 3), theportions 81 of higher compression form the lowest portions of thechannel 62, while the portion 82 of lower compression forms the higherportion in the channel 62. The first portions 81 of higher compressionhave a higher density than the portion 82 of lower compression as aresult of compression force differences. Such a two stage channelstructure is preferred since it can provide a better comfort to thewearer's body in use compared with the channel structure which has nostage difference (formed by no compression force differences applied).In addition, since the compression force is more concentrated at theportions 81 of higher compression, the two stage channel structure canalso increase the bonding strength between the topsheet 38 and theabsorbent core 42 at the portions 81.

The first portions 81 formed by a higher compression extend from onechannel wall 83 but does not reach the other channel wall 84. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the first portions 81 formed bya higher compression is about a rectangular. However, the shape of thefirst portions 81 can vary depending on the channel design in thesanitary napkin 20. The length, width and depth of the first portions 81can also vary depending on the channel design in the sanitary napkin 20.Similarly, the shape, the length, width and depth of the second portion82 can also vary depending on the channel design in the sanitary napkin20.

The first portions 81 formed by a higher compression are spaced oneanother. The distance or interval of two adjacent portions 81 can beeither consistent or inconsistent. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5,the distance of two adjacent portions 81 is consistent.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown in FIGs.), the first portions 81may be formed by lower compression, and the second portion 82 may beformed by higher compression. This produces an opposite geographic shapeof the channels.

A variety of preferred channel structures which are applicable to thepresent invention are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,013issued to Murota on May 13, 2003. This publication discloses examples of“two stage channel structure” which are preferably applicable to theembodiments of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 81 formed by ahigher compression extends from one channel wall 83 but does not reachthe other channel wall 84. This channel structure is referred to as a“stitched channel structure”.

However, this is not always necessary. Alternatively to such a stitchedchannel structure, the first portion 81 formed by a higher compressioncan extend from one channel wall 83 to the other channel wall 84. Such astructure can be produced by an application of higher and lowercompressions alternatively applied along the longitudinal direction ofthe channel 62. Such channel structures are disclosed in, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,345 issued to Mizutani et al. on Aug. 18, 1998.

FIG. 6 is a plane view of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinalcentral channels 62 shown in FIG. 1. Herein, “outwardly convex” meansthe longitudinal channels have a curved line shape (including apolygonal lines shape and a curved line shape) which is outwardlyextended when looking from the longitudinal centerline L. Thelongitudinal central channels 62 shown in FIG. 1 have a circular arcshape which is outwardly curved when looking from the longitudinalcenterline L of the sanitary napkin 20. The traversal distance TD of thepair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels 62 decreasestowards the both ends of the central channels 62 to define a centralclosed area 72.

Herein, “closed area” is an area that is disposed between the insidechannel wall(s) of the outwardly convex longitudinal channels. When thetraversal distance between the inside channel walls of the outwardlyconvex longitudinal channels reaches 60% of the maximum traversaldistance, a closed area is defined at least at that position. However,the closed area can extend within the inside channel walls of theoutwardly convex longitudinal channels until they stop at their ends(before they intersect).

In one preferred embodiment, the closed area is defined at least at theposition where the traversal distance between the inside channel wallsof the outwardly convex longitudinal channels reaches 20% (or less than5% or about 0% if desired) of the maximum traversal distance. Thus, itshould be noted that the “closed area” does not require an area that isphysically “closed” by the outwardly convex longitudinal channels. Theclosed area has a maximum length (ML) and a maximum width (MW). Themaximum length is defined as the longitudinal distance between theoutermost walls at the both ends of the outwardly convex longitudinalchannels. The maximum width is defined as the maximum traversal distancebetween the inside channel walls of the outwardly convex longitudinalchannels. (These maximum length and width ML and MW of the closed areaare shown in FIG. 6.)

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the central closed area 72 is definedat least at the position P where the traversal distance TD between theoutwardly convex longitudinal central channels 62 reaches 60% of themaximum traversal distance. However, the closed area 72 extends withinthe inside channel walls of the outwardly convex longitudinal channels62 until they stop at their ends.

The closed area preferably has a periphery wherein 70-100% in length ofthe periphery is surrounded by the outwardly convex longitudinalchannels. In other words, the rest (i.e., 0-30% in length) of theperiphery may be surrounded by other channel(s). Preferably, 80-98% inlength of the periphery of the closed area is defined by the outwardlyconvex longitudinal channels.

The closed area generally tries to maintain the body fluids absorbedunderneath the closed area (e.g., an absorbent core). In addition, theclosed area also works to prevent the material of the absorbent corefrom moving when it becomes wet by the absorbed body fluids.

The central closed area 72 shown in FIG. 6 has a periphery 70 defined bythe inside channel walls of the two central channels 62. Preferably,70-100% in length of the periphery 70 is surrounded by the outwardlyconvex longitudinal channels 62. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,since there is about 2% in length of the periphery 70 of the closed areahas no channel portion 63, about 98% in length of the periphery 70 ofthe closed area 72 is defined by the outwardly convex longitudinalchannels 62.

The pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels 62 can takeany shape that defines a central closed area 72. Preferably, the centralchannels 62 takes an oval like shape. Preferred oval like shapesinclude, for example, an actual oval shape defined by mathematics and aneye shape (i.e., a shape formed by two arc like lines), and the like. Inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central channels 62 has aneye shape consisting of two arc like lines, each of which is formed byfive (5) circular arcs which are connected in series. Such oval likeshapes have a maximum length ML and a maximum width MW. The centralclosed area 72 shown in FIG. 6 has a maximum length ML and a maximumwidth MW.

Preferably, the central closed area 72 has a maximum length ML of 80-220mm and a maximum width MW of 25-70 mm. More preferably, the centralclosed area 72 has a maximum length ML of 130-190 mm and a maximum widthMW of 35-55 mm. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the centralclosed area 72 has a maximum length ML of 160 mm and a maximum width MWof 46 mm.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 preferably has a rearchannel 64 defining a rear closed area 74 in the rear end region 30. Therear closed area 74 can be formed not only within the rear end region 30but both or either the central regions 32 and/or the rear end region 30.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the rear closed area 74is formed within the rear end region 30.

Preferably, the maximum width of the rear closed area 74 is no greaterthan that of the maximum width of the central closed area 72. Bylimiting the width of the rear closed area 74 within the maximum widthof the central closed area 72, the discharged body fluids are led alongthe longitudinal direction more than the traversal direction by thefluids control function of the rear channels 64. Therefore, thisconfiguration is useful to prevent the body fluids leakage from thelongitudinal edges 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the rear end region30. In preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the maximum width of therear closed area 74 is about same as that of the maximum width of thecentral closed area 72.

The rear channel 64 can take any shape that forms a closed area. Therear channel 64 preferably takes an oval like shape or an elongatedU-character shape. Preferred oval like shapes include, for example, anactual oval shape defined by mathematics and an elongated U-charactershape. A preferred elongated U-character shape has the traversaldistance between the two arms of the elongated U-character shapedecreases towards the central closed area 72 as shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the sanitary napkin 20 further has anadditional (or secondary) rear channel 65 within the rear closed area 74in the rear end region 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The additional rearchannel 65 does not need to form a closed area. The additional rearchannel 65 is used to control the rigidity of the sanitary napkin 20 atthe rear end region 30. In addition, the additional rear channel 65 alsocan work to maintain the absorbed body fluids in the inside area of thechannel 65. The additional rear channel 65 can take any shape but itpreferably takes an elongated U-character shape as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 preferably has a frontchannel 66 forming a front closed area 76 in the front end region 28.

The front closed area 76 can be formed not only within the front endregion 28 but both the central regions 32 and the front end region 28.For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the front closed area 76is formed within the front end region 28.

Preferably, the maximum width of the front closed area 76 is no greaterthan that of the maximum width of the central closed area 72. Bylimiting the width of the front closed area 76 within the maximum widthof the central closed area 72, the discharged body fluids are led alongthe longitudinal direction more than the traversal direction by thefluids control function of the front channels 66. Therefore, thisconfiguration is also useful to prevent the body fluids leakage from thelongitudinal edges 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the front end region28. In preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the maximum width of thefront closed area 76 is about same as that of the maximum width of thecentral closed area 72.

The front channel 66 can also take any shape that forms a closed area.The front channel 66 preferably takes a horseshoe like shape, an oval orcircle like shape or a U-character shape. One example of preferredhorseshoe like shape is shown in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the absorbent core 42 is non-profiled within thecentral closed area 72 so that the central region 32 has the samecaliper as the outside of the central closed area 72. Preferably, theabsorbent core 42 is profiled within the central closed area 72 so thatthe central region 32 has a caliper that is greater than the caliper ofthe outside of the central closed area 72 (i.e., a non-profiled portion)as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Herein, “profiled” means that one specifiedportion of a material has a caliper that is greater than that of theother portion to be compared. Herein, calipers are measured under apressure of 0.5 psi using a circular comparator foot with a 1 inchdiameter area. Typically, a profiled portion is formed by increasing theamount of material(s) at the profiled portion of the absorbent core thanthe other adjacent portion such that the profiled portion shows anexpanded shape (or appearance) on the body surface 20A compared to theother portion. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the absorbent core 42contains an increased amount of material(s) within the central closedarea 72 than the outside of the central closed area 72 such that thesanitary napkin 20 is profiled at the central closed area 72 as sown inFIG. 2.

Preferably, the front end region 28 and the rear end region 30 have thesame or similar caliper, while the central region 32 comprises thegreatest caliper portion of the sanitary napkin 20 as a result of theprofiled structure. The caliper ratio of the profiled portion to thenon-profiled portion preferably ranges from about 1.1:1 to about 3:1,and more preferably from about 2:1 to about 2.6:1. In the sanitarynapkin 20 shown in FIG. 1, the caliper ratio of the profiled portion tothe non-profiled portion is about 2.2:1.

The sanitary napkin 20 can be of any caliper, including relativelythick, relatively thin, or even very thin. The embodiment of thesanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1 is intended to be an example of arelatively thick, overnight, extra protection sanitary napkin having acaliper of about 5 mm in the end regions 28 and 30 and a caliper ofabout 14 mm in the central region 32. It should be understood, however,when viewing these figures the number of layers of material shown maycause the sanitary napkin 20 to appear much thicker than it actually is,particularly in cross-section.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 is asymmetrically shaped sothat the rear end region 30 is larger than the front end region 28. Inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 isasymmetrically shaped such that the rear end region 30 has both a largerwidth and a longer length than the front end region 28. The widths ofthe front and rear end regions are defined by the traversal distancebetween the longitudinal edges 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The ratioof the widths of the rear end region 30 to the front end region 28preferably ranges from between about 1:1 and about 2.5:1. Morepreferably, the ratio of the widths of the rear end region 30 to thefront end region 28 is about 1.4:1. The ratio of the longitudinallengths of the front end region 28 to the central region 32 is fromabout 1:1 to about 1:4, and the ratio of the longitudinal lengths of thecentral region 32 to the rear end region 30 is from about 1:0.5 to about1: 3. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ratio of thelongitudinal lengths of the front end region 28 to the central region 32and the rear end region 30 is about 1:1.7: 2.5.

The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 typically have length and widthdimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core 42. Thetopsheet 38 and backsheet 40 extend beyond the edges of the absorbentcore 42, and are joined together to form a pair of central side flaps 52and a pair of rear side flaps 54. These topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 canbe joined any means (e.g., an adhesive) known in the art.

The central side flaps 52 can be in any suitable configuration and shapeknown in the art. Suitable flaps are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,389,094 issued to Lavash, et al. on Feb. 14, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No.5,558,663 issued to Weinberger, et al. on Sep. 24, 1996.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central side flaps 52 and therear side flaps 54 are integral with the main body portion 25 of thesanitary napkin 20 (i.e., these flaps comprise integral extensions ofthe topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 from the main body portion 25).Alternatively, these flaps can be formed by separate materials from thetopsheet 38 and the backsheet 40, which are joined to the main bodyportion 25 of the sanitary napkin 20 in any suitable manner. In thatevent, the flaps are each joined to (or associated with) the main bodyportion 25 along a juncture, typically a longitudinally-oriented (or“longitudinal”) juncture (not shown in Figs.).

The central side flaps 52 and the rear side flaps 54 are used to attachthe sanitary napkin 20 to the wearer's panties or undergarment throughadhesive fasteners as known in the art. The fasteners comprise aplurality of patches of adhesive adhered to the garment surface 20B ofthe backsheet 40 of the sanitary napkin 20.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plane view of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1.Typically one or two (or more if desired) adhesive patches (i.e., pantyfastening adhesive 55) are disposed on the main body portion 25 of thesanitary napkin 20 such that the sanitary napkin 20 can adhere to thecrotch area of the wearer's undergarment to keep the sanitary napkin 20in place.

The panty fastening adhesive 55 is preferably at least about 50% as longas the absorbent core 42, but is preferably no greater than about 100%of the length of the core 42. The preferred length of the pantyfastening adhesive 55 is between about 75% and about 90% the length ofthe absorbent core 42. The width of the panty fastening adhesive 55 ispreferably at least about 25% of the width of the portion of theabsorbent core 42 lying in the front end region 28, but should be nowider than about 100% the width of the portion of the core 42 in thefront end region 28. The preferred width of the panty fastening adhesive55 is between about 70% and about 88% of the width of the first endregion core width.

In addition, a pair of additional adhesive patches (i.e., central flapadhesives 56) are disposed on the garment surface 20B of the centralside flaps 52 of the sanitary napkin 20 to adhere to the undersides ofthe wearer's undergarment during use and to keep the napkin 20 in placeto improve fit.

Preferably, another pair of additional adhesive patches (i.e., rear flapadhesives 57) are disposed on the garment surfaces 20B of the rear sideflaps 54 of the sanitary napkin 20 to additionally help keep thesanitary napkin 20 in place. The rear flap adhesives 57 adheres to theundersides of the wearer's undergarment during use and to keep thenapkin 20 in place to improve fit. The rear flap adhesives 57 jointlywork with the continuous support layer 44 in the rear side flaps 54 toprevent the rear side flaps 54 from undesirable bunching during the useof the sanitary napkin 20.

The central side flaps 52, which have panty fasteners thereon, adhere tothe underside of the wearer's undergarment. The central side flaps 52serve to keep the sanitary napkin 20 in place during wear. Keeping thesanitary napkin 20 in place prevents skewing of the napkin 20 in thepanty, and undesirable bunching. The central side flaps 52 may alsoassist the central region 32 in forming into the desired W-shapedconfiguration, and the rear end region 30 in forming the desiredinverted V-shaped configuration.

These adhesive patches are preferably covered by release strips beforeuse as known in the art. Preferably, the central side flaps 52 arefolded over the topsheet 38 and they are bridged by a single (orunitary) release strip through the central flap adhesives 56. Similarly,the rear side flaps 54 are also folded over the topsheet and they arealso bridged by a single (or unitary) release strip through the rearflap adhesives 57. In a particularly preferred embodiment, both thecentral side flaps 52 and the rear side flaps 54 are bridged by a single(or unitary) release strip. Herein, “unitary” means the release stripmember can be formed by either a single material or two (or more) joinedmaterials.

The panty fastening adhesive 55 is also covered by a release strip. Ifdesired, the panty fastening adhesive 55 is covered by a releasablewrapper that also serves as an individual wrapper package for thesanitary napkin 20. A preferred structure is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,074,376 issued to Mills on Jun. 13, 2000.

The sanitary napkin 20 is worn by the wearer so that the rear end region30 is placed to the rear of the wearer's body to provide the bestgluteal fit. The outwardly convex longitudinal central channels 62assist the central region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20 in assuming aW-shaped cross-sectional configuration when the napkin 20 is laterallycompressed by the wearer's thighs, thereby allowing improved contactwith the wearer's genital area. This W-shaped configuration is formed bythe sides compressing upwards and inwards and the center buckling upwardinto a convex upward configuration, with the densified region providedby the channels forming the fold lines.

In addition, due to the profiled configuration in the central region 32,the central closed area 72 is brought more closely to the source area ofbody fluids thereby contributing to a further better fit to the wearer'sbody. The profiled configuration of the central closed area 72cooperates with the W-shaped cross-sectional configuration therebyallowing the central closed area 72 to closely fit to the wearer'sgenital area. This cooperative function enables an improved leakageprotection at the central region 32.

The W-shape configuration of the central region 32 is transformed intoan inverted V-shape configuration in the rear end region 30. Theinverted V-shape configuration retains the profiled central portion ofthe W-shape configuration to improve gluteal fit. The rear end region 30is thus also able to closely fit into the crevice between the wearer'sbuttocks (that is, in the gluteal groove) for improved protection fromend soiling. This occurs while the rear end region 30 maintains its areacoverage due to the size of the same and the panty fastening adhesive.

As a result, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, all the asymmetricalshape of the sanitary napkin 20, the embossed channels 62, 64 and 66,the central and rear side flaps 52 and 54, and the profiledconfiguration in the central closed area 72 cooperatively work togetherthereby providing an improved fit and leakage protection.

FIG. 8 is a top plane view of another preferred embodiment of theabsorbent article of the present invention. In this embodiment, theabsorbent article is also a relatively thick, overnight, extraprotection, disposable sanitary napkin 21. It should be noted thatexcept the channels arrangements the sanitary napkin 21 is similar tothe sanitary napkin 20 which is discussed hereinabove. Referring to FIG.8, the sanitary napkin 21 has a pair of longitudinal channels 90 formedin the front end region 28, the central region 32 and the rear endregion 30; and a pair of central side flaps 52 each extending laterallyoutward from the central region 32. Each of the longitudinal channel 90includes (or divided into) an outwardly convex central channel 92, anoutwardly convex rear channel 94 and an outwardly convex front channel96. The longitudinal channel 90 has (1) an outwardly convex channelportion 97 in the central region, (2) a front inwardly concave channelportion 98 at the transition area between the front end region 28 andthe central region 32, and (3) a rear inwardly concave channel portion99 at the transition area between the rear end region 30 and the centralregion 32.

Herein, “inwardly concave” means the longitudinal channels have a curvedline shape (including a polygonal lines shape and a curved line shape)which is inwardly curved when looking from the longitudinal centerlineL. The longitudinal channels 90 shown in FIG. 8 have a circular arcshape which is inwardly concave at the portions 98 and 99 when lookingfrom the longitudinal centerline L of the sanitary napkin 20.

In one embodiment, the absorbent core 42 can be non-profiled within thecentral closed area 72. However, similarly to the sanitary napkin 20shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 42 of the sanitary napkin 21 ispreferably profiled in the central area 93 between the front inwardlyconcave channel portion 98 and the rear inwardly concave channel portion99 so that the central region 32 has a caliper that is greater than thecaliper of the outside of the central area 93 (i.e., a non-profiledportion).

Due to the profiled configuration in the central region 32, the centralarea 93 is brought more closely to the source area of body fluidsthereby contributing to a further better fit to the wearer's body. Theprofiled configuration of the central area 93 cooperates with theW-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed by the outwardly convexcentral channels 92 thereby allowing the central area 93 to closely fitto the wearer's genital area. This cooperative function enables animproved leakage protection at the central region 32.

Test Methods

(1) Bending Stiffness Value Measurement

The bending stiffness value is a measure of the force required to bend aspecimen, which is preferably measured by a Pure Bending Tester. In thismeasurement, the specimen has 6.0 cm in length and 6.0 cm in width. Theboth side edges of the specimen is fixed between two jaws of the tester.The effective dimension for the measurement (i.e., the effectivespecimen sizes between the two jaws) is 4.0 cm in length and 6.0 cm inwidth (rectangular).

Bending force is applied to the specimen by the tester to cause abending deformation between the curvature K=−2.5 cm⁻¹ and 2.5 cm⁻¹. Thespecimen is bent in the direction Db with the bending axis Ba as shownin FIG. 9. The bending rate is 0.1 cm⁻¹/sec. As a result, a bendinghysteresis curve is obtained by the measurement as shown in FIG. 10. Thehorizontal axis shows the curvature K (cm⁻¹) and the vertical axis showsthe moment M (gf·cm²/cm). The bending stiffness value is obtained as Bfwhich is the slope value of the first forward cycle of the curve atK=0.1 cm⁻¹. This measurement is carried out for 5 specimens which arecut out from one material to be measured, and the average value of the 5specimens is defined as a “bending stiffness value” (gf·cm²/cm). Apreferred Pure Bending Tester is available from Kato Tech Co., Ltd.,Kyoto, Japan, under Code No. KES-FB2.

(2) Shear Rigidity Value Measurement

The shear rigidity value is a measure of the force required to shear aspecimen, which is preferably measured by a Fabric Shear Tester. In thismeasurement, the specimen has 6.0 cm in length and 6.0 cm in width. Theboth side edges of the specimen is fixed between two jaws of the tester.The effective dimension for the measurement (i.e., the effectivespecimen sizes between the two jaws) is 6.0 cm in length and 5.0 cm inwidth (rectangular).

Shear force Fs is applied to the specimen by the tester to cause a sheardeformation between the shear angle Sa=0 degree and 8 degrees. Thespecimen is sheared in the direction Ds as shown in FIG. 11 (Note: thedirection Ds corresponds to the length direction of the specimen). Theshearing rate is 0.417 mm/sec. As a result, a shearing hysteresis curveis obtained by the measurement as shown in FIG. 12. The horizontal axisshows the shear angle Sa (degrees) and the vertical axis shows the shearforce Fs (gf·cm). The shear rigidity value is obtained as G which is theaverage slope value of the shearing hysteresis curve between the shearangle Sa=0.5 and 2.5 degrees. This measurement is carried out for 5specimens which are cut out from one material to be measured, and theaverage value of the 5 specimens is defined as a “shear rigidity value”(gf/cm·degree). A preferred Fabric Shear Tester is available from KatoTech Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan, under Code No. KES-FB1.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An air laid nonwoven web which is available from Kang Na HsiungEnterprise Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, under Code No. AL080-BL01-10 isprepared. This nonwoven web has basis weight of 80 g/m², density of 0.07g/cm³, and thickness of 1.16 mm. This nonwoven web is formed by amixture of chemical pulp (or cellulose) fibers andpolyethylene/polypropylene bi-component fibers through an air throughprocess. This nonwoven web is a continuous material which has a bendingstiffness value of 0.79 gf·cm²/cm and a shear rigidity value of 5.85gf/cm·degree.

Example 2

An air laid nonwoven web which is available from BBA (China) AirlaidCo., Ltd., Tianjin, China, under Code No. B667M077P25 is prepared. Thisnonwoven web has basis weight of 77 g/m², density of 0.096 g/cm³, andthickness of 0.80 mm. This nonwoven web is formed by two layers whichare joined by multi-bonding process (i.e., a combination bonding ofheart and latex), which include a polypropylene nonwoven (Layer 1); anda mixture of chemical pulp (or cellulose) fibers, polyethylene/polyesterbi-component fibers (Layer 2). This nonwoven web is a continuousmaterial which has a bending stiffness value of 2.74 gf·cm²/cm and ashear rigidity value of 5.32 gf/cm·degree.

Example 3

An air laid nonwoven web which is available from BBA (China) AirlaidCo., Ltd., Tianjin, China, under Code No. B889M18017 is prepared. Thisnonwoven web has basis weight of 180 g/m², density of 0.144 g/cm³, andthickness of 1.25 mm. This nonwoven web is formed by a mixture ofchemical pulp (or cellulose) fibers, polyethylene/polyester bi-componentfibers, ethylene vinyl acetate latex binder and super absorbent polymers(acrylic acid and sodium acrylate copolymer) through a multi-bondingprocess (combination of thermal bonding and latex bonding). Thisnonwoven web is a continuous material which has a bending stiffnessvalue of 6.33 gf cm²/cm and a shear rigidity value of 8.15 gf/cm·degree.

Example 4

An air laid nonwoven Web which is available from Kang Na HsiungEnterprise Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, under Code No. AL070-CS10⁻¹⁰ isprepared. This nonwoven web has basis weight of 70 g/m², density of 0.07g/cm³, and thickness of 1.00 mm. This nonwoven web is formed by amixture of chemical pulp (or cellulose) fibers andpolyethylene/polypropylene bi-component fibers through an air throughprocess. This nonwoven web is a continuous material which has a bendingstiffness value of 4.35 gf cm²/cm and a shear rigidity value of 3.17gf/cm·degree.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are,are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation ofany document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front andrear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and acentral region disposed between the front and rear end regions, whereinthe front end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges,the rear end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges,and the ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of thefront end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1, the absorbent articlecomprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet;an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet atleast in the central region and the rear end region, the absorbent corehaving a pair of longitudinal edges; a pair of rear side flaps eachextending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of theabsorbent core in the rear end region; and a continuous support layerdisposed on the backsheet in the rear end region; wherein the continuoussupport layer includes a continuous material which has a shear rigidityvalue of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.
 2. Anabsorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and reartransverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a centralregion disposed between the front and rear end regions, wherein thefront end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges, therear end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges, andthe ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the frontend region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1, the absorbent articlecomprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet;an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet atleast in the central region and the rear end region, the absorbent corehaving a pair of longitudinal edges; a pair of rear side flaps eachextending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of theabsorbent core in the rear end region; a continuous support layerdisposed on the backsheet in the rear end region; and a uniform adhesivelayer disposed between the continuous support layer and the backsheet inthe rear end region; wherein the uniform adhesive layer uniformly bondsthe continuous support layer to the backsheet in the rear end region. 3.The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein each of the rear side flaps hasa continuous material which has a bending stiffness value of 0.4-10.0gf·cm²/cm in the longitudinal direction.
 4. The absorbent article ofclaim 1 or 2 further comprising a pair of central side flaps eachextending laterally outward from the corresponding longitudinal edge ofthe absorbent core in the central region.
 5. The absorbent article ofclaim 1 or 2 wherein the continuous support layer is disposed betweenthe topsheet and the backsheet in the rear end region, and thecontinuous support layer extends laterally into the rear side flaps inthe rear end region.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 1 or 2 whereinthe continuous support layer is disposed between the absorbent core andthe backsheet in the rear end region.
 7. The absorbent article of claim1 or 2 wherein the continuous support layer includes a nonwoven materialhaving a basis weight of 40-200 g/m².
 8. The absorbent article of claim7 wherein the nonwoven material includes an air-laid nonwoven material.9. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the uniform adhesive layerhas a basis weight of about 1.5-10 g/m².
 10. The absorbent article ofclaim 2 wherein the uniform adhesive layer is formed by a hot-meltadhesive.